Eastern
equine encephalitis is an arthropod-borne viral infection that attacks
the central nervous system and causes inflammation of the brain.
It is an infectious
disease of horses caused by any of several viruses, four of which—the
Eastern, Western, Venezuelan, and St. Louis viruses—can also
infect humans.
The viruses,
which begin their life cycles as parasites of wild birds, are transferred
to horses, and from horses to humans, via the salivary glands of
mosquitos.
Clinical signs
include fever, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, chills, speech
problems, confusion, and drowsiness.
There is no specific treatment for this disease. Antibiotics are
not effective against viruses, and no effective anti-viral drugs
have been discovered.
Introduction
Eastern
equine encephalitis is an arthropod-borne viral infection that attacks
the central nervous system and causes inflammation of the brain.